Press Release – Graham Meldrum Memorial Campaign
HARD WORK NEVER KILLED ANYONE..?
Press enquiries – T: 07784824491
E: gmmc@hotmail.co.uk
www.myspace.com/gmmemorialcampaign
Graham Meldrum Memorial Campaign HARD WORK NEVER KILLED ANYONE..? announce
the start of the Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) into the death of Graham Meldrum
- 17th March at Glasgow Sheriff Court.
Vigil for workers Killed for Profit
8.45am- 9.45pm
Prior to the inquiry there will be a vigil outside the Sheriff Court for
Graham and all other workers killed for profit. Organised by the Campaign
we hope that TRUTH, JUSTICE, RESPONSIBILITY AND HUMANITY will be present
at the F.A.I.
Fatal Accident Inquiry
10AM
The FAI will look into the circumstances of the death of Graham Meldrum
and the manner in which the subsequent prosecution of some of the companies
responsible was dealt with. Graham, 40 years of age, was killed in an incident
at work on the 12th of July 2005 at Allied Bakeries on the Balmore Industrial
estate in Glasgow. Graham was killed while unloading a bread delivery truck
that had a faulty tail lift, leaving behind a grieving partner, children
and elderly parents.
After a two years wait for action to be taken by the authorities Grahams
family and friends took matters into their own hands and started proactively
campaigning to have the companies responsible prosecuted. Following many
letters, phone calls and a number of public demonstrations the case eventually
came to court.
A series of trial dates were set at which the family attended only for them
to be postponed for the convenience of the companies and to the further
distress of the family. Eventually on 5th Nov 07 at Glasgow Sheriff court
two companies, ABF Grains (Allied Bakeries) and TNT Logistics were eventually
found guilty of various breaches of Health and Safety legislation in relation
to Graham’s death. The two companies were fined a paltry £19500
and £14000 respectively. A third company, Suzyline, the agency for
which Graham was a contract driver, escaped prosecution.
Karen Thomson, Grahams partner, said in advance of the FAI; “Two crimes
have been committed here, first the criminal negligence of the companies
that failed to ensure basic health and safety standards were in place which
caused Grahams death, second the manner in which this and other such cases
are dealt with by the police and the prosecution service. For the sake of
other workers and their families we strongly hope that lessons will be learned.”Graham's
family like other families has been denied the right to closure with the
unacceptably long
delays to bring this to a F.a.i. This comes in the wake of recents announcements
by Kenny Macaskill, justice minister that a major overhall and investigation
fronted by Lord Cullen will take place in the near furure.
Grahams partner, Karen, and family and friends will attend the FAI and invite
members of the media to publicise the facts of this case and outcome of
the FAI.
Paula Larkin
Development Worker
Document - International Human Rights Documentary Film Festival
tel: 00 44 141 357 4212
m: 07765396226
www.docfilmfest.org.uk
Document 6
Glasgow, October 2008